January 3, 2020 – Click here to listen
My family had photos taken in my back yard during their Christmas holiday visit. In the photo are me, my wife, sons, daughters in law and grandchildren. The smiles are genuine, and we are a happy group of people.
As I pondered these photos I marveled at my good fortune. I also am very curious as to what will become of them all. Everyone in our family loves the Lord and I believe they will lead blessed lives and raise children who love the Lord. One of my sons told me his greatest fear in life is that they might get off track somehow. I told him not to worry too much about it. The Bible assures us that if we raise up a child in the word of God when they grow old, they will not depart from it. I told him second to that was to love your children. No problem there, all of my sons and their wives love their children more than life itself just as my wife and I love them. As for now there are no alcohol or drug problems, no divorce, no rebellion, no sibling rivalry, not a mean-spirited bone in any of them. In fact, just the opposite.
I’m often asked how this was achieved. My answer is and always will be that we are exposed to the same pressures and temptations to sin as any family. I tried my utmost to lead them in accepting that we are imperfect, but the closer we can come to living the life God wants for us, the happier we will be. God found favor in this family because we confess our sins and repent and try to do better and try our utmost to make Him number one in our lives. He loves us and helps us when we struggle, and He knows that we love Him. His blessings are totally undeserved, we do have faith and are obedient to the extent possible but aside from that we are fallen flesh like every other person on the planet. I’m the only one that was a black sheep and I pray daily that none of them ever go down that path.
My granddaughter, (first girl on the left on the second row from the bottom,) emailed me and asked for help in her Bible study class. She asked me to do a video in which I would answer a myriad of questions concerning faith, which I shared on Words for the Day. As soon as they arrived for their visit, she excitedly told me she made 100 on it and it will count towards 80% of her grade. I asked if her mother or father told her to ask me for help and she replied, “No papaw, it was my idea.”
I share this story because I think it is important for the patriarch, matriarch, father, and mother to be involved in the spiritual training of the children within the family. I felt very honored that she would come to me for such a project. They know I love the Lord and for sure know that I always insist that we pray before every meal even when everyone is starving after a long day at the beach or fishing. I involve my children in the process and try to emphasize that they are speaking to almighty God when they pray, and they should respect that opportunity.
So far it seems to be working and the generational curse that claimed my grandfather, two of my uncles, and my brother to suicide, most of my extended family to alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, and numerous broken marriages and broken children is no more. God loves us and behold He stands at the door and knocks, not desiring anyone to die but to enjoy everlasting life with Him.
Revelation 3:20
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!